December 17 - January 29, 2008

The chapter on the first of twelve months is almost closed with January coming to an end. It has been a good month.

January was filled with the following events: Three Kings Day special service, preparation for the election of deacons, the actual elections of deacons, winter youth retreat and a conversion. Here are the details.

The Kings Day is a Puerto Rican counterpart to Christmas. For many families it is the day when children receive their gifts. This year Three Kings Day fell on Sunday. To avoid conflicts and allow families to be together we changed our service to Sunday afternoon. A musical group was brought in and special events for children in the basement were arranged. Puerto Rican desserts were served at the conclusion. The church members donated almost eighty gifts to give to needy families as well as the children of our congregation. The building was filled. We estimated 115-125 attended the event.

The next week, we began to prepare for deacon elections. Every two years two are chosen to serve. I taught what the scriptures say about that office. The last two years Santos Torres and Andy, our son, served. They did an outstanding job. Yesterday, January 27, the church voted. The voting extends through next Sunday to accommodate those who missed Sunday’s service. As soon as the results are tabulated and announced we will ordain those chosen.

January is almost always the month chosen for the annual youth retreat. This year we had twenty-six campers and faculty attend the retreat. For the first time ever I did not have to go. Some of our younger adults, led by Andy, our son, took charge of the retreat. The kids had a great time and everyone came back exhausted. That same weekend I had the privilege of baptizing a man who had been attending services for some time, along with his wife who was already a Christian. It was a beautiful experience. The entire church gathered around the baptistery to witness and encourage the new believer. The whole church broke into a spontaneous applause of delight as he came up out of the water.

The last week of January our church responded to a genuine need and helped a family from another church who was in an economic bind. A cash gift as well as beds, mattresses, a sofa, a new stove, propane gas, clothes and many smaller items were donated to the family. I am delighted with the generous spirit of the congregation.

February begins Saturday. The men of the church are getting together to paint the church building. It has been a couple of years since it was last painted so it is time to spruce it up somewhat. The ladies of the church will be cooking for the work day.

Good things are planned for February, but more about that next time. We wish you the best. Blessings…

Johnathan and Mary Reece

Cross-cultural ministers to Puerto Rico